Deals such as ‘all you can drink for £20′ are to be banned in Northern Ireland after regulations were passed unopposed in the Province’s Assembly.

Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland, who proposed the regulations, said it would target fixed price drinks promotions.

The minister told MLAs that 252 people died in Northern Ireland last year because of alcohol misuse, and the Assembly needed to take action.

Welcomed

Proposed legislation against bulk-buying drink was not introduced.

Pubs of Ulster chief executive, Colin Neill welcomed the move.

He said: “The forthcoming legislation will strengthen our efforts to combat irresponsible retailing of alcohol, though we believe there is even further scope for additional legislation to curb irresponsible discounting of multiple purchases in supermarkets”.

Banned

Duncan McCausland, chair of an independent watchdog which monitors the responsible promotion and retail of alcohol in Northern Ireland welcomed the announcement of the legislation.

It was announced in September that fixed price drink promotions were to be banned in Northern Ireland following a public consultation on the issue.

The minister said at the time that the ban should come into force in January.

Consulted

A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Drinks Industry Group (NIDIG) said in September: “When he consulted on it earlier in the year, we very much supported the Minister’s view to ban fixed price promotions.

“There is no place for them in Northern Ireland. They are not necessary.”